Petunia plant named ‘DLITBIBLIS’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct  Petunia  cultivar named ‘DLITBIBLIS’ is disclosed, characterized by a compact, mounded growth habit. The plants are very branched with a medium vigor. The Flower color is purple with white stripes. It is a small size with abundant flowering. The new variety is a  Petunia , normally produced as an outdoor garden or container plant.

Latin name of the genus and species: Petunia hybrida.

Variety denomination: ‘DLITBIBLIS’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The new Petunia hybrida cultivar is a product of a planned breedingprogram conducted by the inventor, Gavriel Danziger in Moshav MishmarHashiva, Israel. The objective of the breeding program was to producenew Petunia varieties with interesting flower color patterns. The crossresulting in this new variety was made during September of 2013.

The seed parent is the unpatented, propriety variety referred to asPetunia ‘cv. 12-6247’. The pollen parent is the unpatented, proprietyvariety referred to as Petunia ‘cv. 12-6263’. The new variety wasdiscovered in July of 2014 by the inventor in a group of seedlingsresulting from the 2013 crossing, in a greenhouse in Moshav MishmarHashiva, Israel.

Asexual reproduction of the new cultivar ‘DLITBIBLIS’ was firstperformed by terminal vegetative cuttings during July of 2014, at agreenhouse in Moshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel. Subsequent propagation byhas shown that the unique features of this cultivar are stable andreproduced true to type in more than 25 successive generations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The cultivar ‘DLITBIBLIS’ has not been observed under all possibleenvironmental conditions. The phenotype may vary somewhat withvariations in environment such as temperature, day length, and lightintensity, without, however, any variance in genotype.

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe the unique characteristics of ‘DLITBIBLIS’ These characteristics incombination distinguish ‘DLITBIBLIS’ as a new and distinct Petuniacultivar:

-   1. Compact, mounded growth habit.-   2. Very well branched plants with medium vigor.-   3. Flowers color is purple with white stripes, forming a heart    pattern of purple under some environmental conditions.-   4. Flower size is small.-   5. Abundant flowering.

PARENT COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DLITBIBLIS’ are similar to plants of theseed parent, Petunia ‘cv. 12-3202’ in most horticulturalcharacteristics, however, plants of the new cultivar ‘DLITBIBLIS’ differin the following;

-   1. The new variety has a compact, mounded growth habit, the parent    variety has an upright growth habit.-   2. The parent variety produces less branches and has lower vigor.-   3. Flower size of the parent is medium, flower size of the new    variety is small.-   4. The new variety produces flowers more abundantly.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DLITBIBLIS’ are similar to plants of thepollen parent in most horticultural characteristics however, plants ofthe new cultivar ‘DLITBIBLIS’ differ in the following;

-   1. Trailing growth habit.-   2. The pollen parent is a more vigorous plant than the new variety.-   3. Flower size of the pollen parent is medium, flower size of the    new variety is small.-   4. Small quantity of flowering, the new variety flowers more    abundantly.

COMMERCIAL COMPARISON

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DLITBIBLIS’ can be compared to the patentedcommercial variety Petunia ‘Danlittun3’ U.S. Plant Pat. No. 20,054.These varieties are similar in most horticultural characteristics;however, ‘DLITBIBLIS’ differs in the following:

-   1. Flower color of the comparator is dark pink, whereas the new    variety has purple flowers with white stripes.-   2. Flower shape of the comparator is star-shaped, while the flower    of the new variety is more rounded.-   3. Flower size of the comparator is smaller than the flower of the    new variety.

Plants of the new cultivar ‘DLITBIBLIS’ can also be compared to theunpatented commercial variety Petunia ‘DANLITT248’ U.S. Plant Pat. No.22,310. These varieties are similar in most horticulturalcharacteristics; however, ‘DLITBIBLIS’ differs in the following:

-   1. Comparator flower color is white, the new variety has purple    flowers with white stripes.-   2. Comparator leaf color is lighter than the leaf color of the new    variety.-   3. Comparator flower size is smaller than the flower of the new    variety.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

The accompanying photograph in FIG. 1 illustrates in full color atypical plant of ‘DLITBIBLIS’ grown in a greenhouse, in Moshav MishmarHashiva, Israel.

FIG. 2 illustrates in full color a typical mature flower of ‘DLITBIBLIS’during Spring. Age of the plant photographed is approximately 60 daysfrom a rooted cutting in a 20 cm pot.

The photographs were taken using conventional techniques and althoughcolors may appear different from actual colors due to light reflectanceit is as accurate as possible by conventional photographic techniques.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

In the following description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Mini Colour Chart 2005 except where general termsof ordinary dictionary significance are used. The following observationsand measurements describe ‘DLITBIBLIS’ plants grown in greenhouse inMoshav Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, under natural lighting. Measurementswere taken during April of 2015. The plants were approximately 60 daysfrom a rooted cutting in a 13 cm pot. The growing temperature rangedfrom 20° C. to 35° C. during the days, 17° C. to 23° C. during thenights. Measurements and numerical values represent averages of typicalplant types.

-   Botanical classification: Petunia hybrida ‘DLITBIBLIS’.

PROPAGATION

-   Time to initiate roots: 10-14 days at approximately 20° C.-   Root description: Fibrous. Colored tan and white, not accurately    measured with R.H.S. chart.

PLANT

-   Growth habit: Semi-trailing.-   Pot size of plant described: 13 cm.-   Height: About 15 cm to top of flowering plane.-   Plant spread: About 40 cm.-   Growth rate: Medium.-   Branching characteristics: Very well branched.-   Length of primary lateral branches: About 20 cm.-   Diameter of lateral branches: About 0.3 cm.-   Quantity of primary lateral branches: 8.-   Characteristics of primary lateral branches:    -   -   Form.—Cylindrical.        -   Diameter.—About 0.3 cm.        -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green 147 B.        -   Texture.—Pubescent.        -   Strength.—Good.-   Internode length: About 1.0 cm.

FOLIAGE

-   Leaf:    -   -   Arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Quantity.—Approximately 20 per branch.        -   Average length.—4.0 cm.        -   Average width.—2.0 cm.        -   Shape of blade.—Elliptic.        -   Apex.—Acute.        -   Base.—Acute.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Velvety.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Velvety.        -   Color.—Young foliage upper side: RHS Green 137 A. Young            foliage under side: RHS Green 137 C. Mature foliage upper            side: RHS Green 137 A. Mature foliage under side: RHS Green            137 C.        -   Venation.—Type: Pinnate. Venation color upper side: RHS            Green 137 B. Venation color under side: RHS Green 137 D.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—About 0.8 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 0.3 cm.        -   Color.—RHS Green 137 A.        -   Texture.—Velvety.

FLOWER

-   Natural flowering season: Spring, Summer, and Autumn in Mishmar    Hashiva, Israel.-   Days to flowering from rooted cutting: About 30 days.-   Inflorescence and flower type and habit: Axillary, single flower,    salverform shape, erect habit.-   Rate of flower opening: 2 to 3 days from bud to fully opened flower.-   Flower longevity on plant: 3 to 6 days.-   Approximate quantity of flowers per plant: About 80.-   Persistent or self-cleaning: Self-cleaning.-   Bud:    -   -   Shape.—Tubular.        -   Length.—About 3 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 0.4 cm.        -   Color.—RHS Purple N79 A with 5 stripes yellow-Green 144 C.-   Flower size:    -   -   Diameter.—About 3.5 cm.        -   Length.—About 2.5 cm.        -   Flower tube diameter at distal end.—About 0.7 cm.        -   Flower tube diameter at proximal end.—About 0.2 cm.-   Flower:    -   -   Lobing.—Moderate.        -   Upper petal surface flower venation.—Weakly conspicuous.        -   Inner corolla tube venation.—Strongly conspicuous.        -   Flower corolla undulation at side view.—Weak.-   Petals:    -   -   Length from throat.—About 1.5 cm.        -   Width.—About 1.5 cm.        -   Quantity.—5.        -   Texture.—Velvety.        -   Apex.—Cuspidate.        -   Margin.—Entire.-   Color:    -   -   When opening.—Upper surface: RHS Purple N 79 A. Lower            surface: RHS Purple N 79 B.        -   Fully opened.—Upper surface: RHS Red-Purple 71 A with 5            White stripes White NN155 D. White stripes occurring at            mid-veins and cuspidate apex. Lower surface: RHS Red-Purple            72 B with 5 White stripes White NN155 C. White stripes            occurring at mid-veins and cuspidate apex. Flower throat            (inside): RHS Blue 103 A with 5 White stripes White N155A.            Flower throat, vein: RHS Violet-Blue 93A. Flower tube            (outside): RHS Purple N 79 A with 5 White stripes White            N155A. Flower tube, vein: RHS Violet-Blue 94A. The ratio            between the 2 colors on the flower (width of stripes) and            the pattern created may vary in different growing            conditions, light intensity and different seasons. Flowers            on the same plant may show less pronunciation of the White            stripes, as five shorter triangles around the margins, or            even only five White dots around the margins.-   Calyx/sepals:    -   -   Quantity per flower.—5.        -   Shape.—Linear.        -   Length.—About 1.5 cm.        -   Width.—About 0.2 cm.        -   Apex.—Rounded.        -   Base.—Cuneate.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture.—Velvety.        -   Color.—Upper Surface: RHS Green 137 A. Lower Surface: RHS            Green 137 B.-   Peduncle: Not present.-   Pedicel:    -   -   Length.—About 1.5 cm.        -   Diameter.—About 0.1 cm.        -   Color.—RHS Yellow-Green 146 B.        -   Orientation.—45 degrees.-   Fragrance: None.

REPRODUCTIVE ORGANS

-   Stamens:    -   -   Number.—5.        -   Filament length.—About 1.6 cm.-   Anthers:    -   -   Length.—About 0.1 cm.        -   Shape.—Rounded.        -   Color.—RHS White 155 C.        -   Pollen.—Color: RHS Yellow 5 D. Quantity: Abundant.-   Pistil:    -   -   Number.—1.        -   Length.—About 2.0 cm.        -   Style.—Length: About 1.4 cm. Color: RHS Yellow-Green 144 C.        -   Stigma.—Shape: Rounded. Color: RHS Yellow-Green 144 B. Ovary            Color: RHS Yellow-Green 144 A.

OTHER CHARACTERISTICS

-   Seeds and fruits: About 50 Brown, rounded seeds of about 0.5 mm    diameter, per one brown, conical capsule.-   Disease/pest resistance: Neither resistance nor susceptibility to    the normal diseases and pests of Petunia have been observed. Typical    well known diseases include: Botrytis cineria, Fusarium, Pythium,    Phytophthora, and Rhizoctonia species. Typical well known pests    include: Leaf miners, spider mites, thrips and possibly    caterpillars.-   Temperature tolerance: Tolerates a range between 5° C. to 40° C.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Petunia plantnamed ‘DLITBIBLIS’ as herein illustrated and described.